The leader of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that rules the Gaza Strip, called for a third uprising against Israel after President Donald Trump declared contested Jerusalem as the Israeli capital
Time

Hamas leader Ismail Haniya gestures as he delivers a speech in Gaza City on Thursday over President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel(Photo: Said Hatib, AFP/Getty Images)

The leader of the terrorist group Hamas called for a new "intifada" or uprising against Israel Thursday after President Trump announced the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and said the United States would begin the lengthy process of moving the Embassy to the city.

The encouragement to revolt came as clashes between hundreds of Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops erupted across the West Bank Thursday. Demonstrators in Gaza burned posters of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as U.S. and Israeli flags, as part of "three days of rage" that began Wednesday.

Trump’s controversial decision upended decades of U.S. policy on Jerusalem and countered long-standing international assurances to the Palestinians that the fate of the ancient city, claimed by Israelis and Palestinians, would be determined in negotiations.

In a news conference in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, the group's chief, Ismail Haniya, said that Washington's decision to reverse its policy amounted to a "war declaration against Palestinians" that "killed" the peace process.

"We have given instruction to all Hamas members and to all its wings to be fully ready for any new instructions or orders that may be given to confront this strategic danger that threatens Jerusalem and threatens Palestine," he said.

Haniya said the uprising should start Friday. "We want the uprising to last and continue to let Trump and the occupation regret this decision," he said.

At least 17 Palestinians, one seriously, were injured in Thursday's clashes, but Friday, the Muslim holy day, could be a bigger test when Palestinians gather for mass prayers.

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Palestinian demonstrators raise their national flags as they scuffle with Israeli soldiers during a demonstration, at the Huwara checkpoint south of Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Dec. 27, 2017.
Jaafar Ashtiyeh

Palestinian protestors clash with Israeli forces following a protest against the US' decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, on Dec. 27, 2017 at the entrance of Bethlehem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Musa Al Shaer, AFP/Getty Images

A Palestinian farmer rides a tractor as he plows while demonstrators and Israeli soldiers clash near the Huwara checkpoint, south of Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Dec. 27, 2017.
Jaafar Ashtiyeh, AFP/Getty Images

Palestinian demonstrators scuffle with Israeli soldiers during a demonstration at the Huwara checkpoint, south of Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on Dec. 27, 2017.
Jaafar Ashtiyeh, AFP/Getty Images

Israeli border police detain a Palestinian during a demonstration against US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Dec. 27, 2017.
Abed Al Hashlamoun, EPA-EFE

A Palestinian protester dressed as Santa Clause covers his face as he stands amid tear gas fired by Israeli soldiers during a demonstration in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Dec. 23, 2017.
Abed Al Hashlamoun, EPA-EFE

A Palestinian protester holding the national flag is surrounded by Israeli soldiers amid tear gas smoke during a demonstration in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Dec. 23, 2017.
Abed Al Hashlamoun, EPA-EFE

A Palestinian protester jumps over burning tires while chased by Israeli border police during clashes following protests against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, at the outskirts of the West Bank city of Bir Zeit on Dec. 19, 2017.
Nasser Nasser, AP

An injured Palestinian protester wearing a Santa Claus costume is evacuated by fellow protesters during clashes with Israeli troops at the outskirts of the West Bank city of Bir Zeit, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017.
Nasser Nasser, AP

A Palestinian woman takes a picture of a member of the Israeli security forces as he takes her picture in a street in Jerusalem on Dec. 16, 2017, as demonstrations continue to flare in the Middle East and elsewhere over the US president's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Ahmad Gharabli, AFP/Getty Images

A Palestinian man on crutches scuffles with Israeli security forces in Jerusalem on Dec. 16, 2017, as demonstrations continue to flare in the Middle East and elsewhere over the US president's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Ahmad Gharabli, AFP/Getty Images

Palestinians burn tires during protests against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in the West Bank town of Ramallah on Dec. 16, 2017.
Majdi Mohammed, AP

Palestinian protesters take cover from Israeli tear-gas during clashes with Israeli soldiers amidst a protest organized to show opposition to the US President's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the east of Gaza City on Dec. 15, 2017.
Mohammed Saber, EPA-EFE

Palestinian protesters carry an injured comrade during sunset during clashes near the border with Israel in the east of Gaza City on Dec. 12, 2017. Clashes erupted as ongoing protests were held against US President Trump's 06 December announcement he is recognising Jerusalem as the Israel capital and will relocate the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Mohammed Saber, EPA-EFE

Israeli security forces clash with Palestinian protestors following a demonstration in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Dec. 13, 2107, as demonstrations continue in the region amid anger over US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as its capital.
Abbas Momani, AFP/Getty Images

A Palestinian protestor prepares a Molotov cocktail during clashes with Israeli security forces following a demonstration in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Dec. 13, 2107.
Abbas Momani, AFP/Getty Images

Palestinian protestors react to a stun grenade trown by Israeli security forces during clashes following a demonstration in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Dec. 13, 2107.
Abbas Momani, AFP/Getty Images

A Palestinian protester holds up a Palestinian flag during clashes near the border with Israel, against US President decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the east of Gaza City on Dec. 13 2017.
Mohammed Saber, EPA-EFE

Palestinian protesters during clashes near the border with Israel, against US President decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the east of Gaza City Dec. 13, 2017.
Mohammed Saber, EPA-EFE

Palestinians burn tires during clashes with Israeli troops following a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the West Bank City of Nablus on Dec. 13, 2017.
Majdi Mohammed, AP

Israeli soldiers take position during clashes following a Palestinians protest against US President Donald J. Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Israel, in the West Bank city of Hebron on Dec. 13, 2017.
Abed Al Hashlamoun, EPA-EFE

Israeli security forces clash with Palestinian protestors in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Dec. 11, 2017 as demonstrations continue to flare in the Middle East and elsewhere over US President Donald Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Abbas Momani, AFP/Getty Images

A Palestinian protester uses a slingshot to throw a stone through the smoke of burning tires during clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Dec. 11, 2017.
Thomas Coex, AFP/Getty Images

A masked Palestinian protester throws a molotov cocktail during clashes with Israeli soldiers behind a checkpoint in the city centre of the West Bank town of Hebron on Dec. 11, 2017.
Hazem Bader, AFP/Getty Images

Palestinian protestors clash with Israeli security forces in the West Bank town of Tulkarem, following a demonstration against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, on Dec. 11, 2017.
Jaafar Ashtiyeh, AFP/Getty Images

Palestinian youth throw a Molotov cocktail at Israeli Defence Forces in the streets on Dec. 11, 2017 in North of Ramallah, West-Bank. Protest continues into the sixth day in an already divided city, U.S. President Donald Trump pushed relations in the city to breaking point after making the announcement to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Ilia Yefimovich, Getty Images

A Palestinian youth flashes the V-sign for "victory" during Friday prayers in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City on Dec. 8, 2017. Israel deployed hundreds of additional police officers following Palestinian calls for protests after the main weekly Muslim prayers against US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Ahmad Gharabli, AFP/Getty Images

Palestinian protestors throw stones at Israeli forces during clashes near an Israeli checkpoint in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Dec. 9, 2017, following the US president's decision to recognize the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Musa Al Shaer, AFP/Getty Images

A Palestinian protestor throws back a tear gas canister during clashes with Israeli forces near an Israeli checkpoint in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Dec. 9, 2017, following the US president's decision to recognize the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Musa Al Shaer, AFP/Getty Images

Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian protester on Dec. 9, 2017, in East Jerusalem.Retaliatory Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip killed two Hamas militants, as unrest simmered across the Palestinian territories over US President Donald Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Ahmad Gharabli, AFP/Getty Images

A member of the Israeli security forces exits his military vehicle during clashes with Palestinian protestor in the West Bank city of Nablus, following a demonstration against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Dec. 9, 2017.
Jaafar Ashtiyeh, AFP/Getty Images

Palestinian protesters evacuate an injured fellow toward an ambulance during clashes with Israeli troops following protests against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Dec. 9, 2017.
Nasser Nasser, AP

A Palestinian takes shelter during clashes with Israeli security following a a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in Jerusalem on Dec.9, 2017.
Mahmoud Illean, AP

Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Dec.9, 2017.
Nasser Shiyoukhi, AP

A Palestinian protester throws a tear gas canister back at Israeli forces during clashes near the Israel-Gaza border east of Gaza City on Dec. 9, 2017, following the US president's controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Mahmud Hams, AFP/Getty Images

Israeli forces disperse Palestinian protestors outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on Dec. 7, 2017.
President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital sparked a Palestinian general strike and a call for a new intifada as fears grew of fresh bloodshed in the region.
Ahmad Gharabli, AFP/Getty Images

Israeli police officers try to remove a Palestinian flag from a women protesting outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem on Dec. 7, 2017. Clashes between hundreds of Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops erupted across the West Bank on Thursday while demonstrators in Gaza burned posters of President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as Israeli and U.S. flags.
Ariel Schalit, AP

Israeli forces detain a Palestinian protester during clashes that followed protests against a decision by President Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Dec. 7, 2017.
Hazem Bader, AFP/Getty Images

Palestinian protesters run for cover from tear gas during clashes with Israeli troops near the Jewish settlement of Beit El, near the West Bank city of Ramallah on Dec. 7, 2017.
Abbas Momani, AFP/Getty Images

A Palestinian protester wears a Guy Fawkes mask used by the anonymous movement during clashes with Israeli troops on Dec. 7, 2017 in Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Hazem Bader, AFP/Getty Images

Palestinian emergency services evacuate a protestor who was wounded during clashes with Israeli troops near the Jewish settlement of Beit El, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Dec. 7, 2017.
Abbas Momani, AFP/Getty Images

Palestinian children look at vandalised graffiti depicting President Trump and slogans against Vice President Pence painted on Israel's controversial separation barrier in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Dec. 7, 2017.
Thomas Coex, AFP/Getty Images

U.S. allies France and the United Kingdom said they disapproved of Trump's decision. Saudi Arabia, a key American ally in the Middle East, called it "irresponsible." Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned it would throw "the region into a ring of fire." Federica Mogherini, the European Union's top foreign policy diplomat, said "the announcement has the potential to send us backwards to even darker times than the one we are already living in."

Mogherini called for calm and appealed for "the status quo of the holy places" in Jerusalem to be preserved. The United Nations Security Council is expected to meet for talks and a briefing Friday over the policy change.

Hamas' new "intifada" marks the third time such a request has been invoked.

Israel, the U.S. and the European Union consider Hamas either wholly or in part to be a terrorist organization. The group killed hundreds of Israelis during the Second Intifada, an armed uprising against Israel's occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the early 2000s. Previous Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat led the First Intifada from 1987 to 1993. Hamas is currently locked in a feud with Fatah, the Palestinian nationalist movement led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Abbas was expected to travel to Jordan Thursday to meet with King Abdullah II. The monarch, who enjoys good relations with the U.S., is seen as Abbas’ closest Arab ally, and the two leaders might try to coordinate a response to Trump’s policy change.

On Wednesday, Abbas said Washington's move was a "reward to Israel" that encourages Israel's "continued occupation" of Palestinian areas.

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It remains unclear how destructive a new intifada from Hamas might be. The group's ability to carry out attacks is now more limited after Israel imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip. Many supporters of Hamas in the West Bank also have been arrested.

Netanyahu said Thursday that Trump had "bound himself forever" to the history of Jerusalem by recognizing the city as Israel’s capital. He also claimed that other nations would follow suit and make a similar recognition.

Meanwhile, Israel's military said it would deploy additional troops to the West Bank ahead of Friday, when more mass Palestinian protests are anticipated.